Safari Conversion
Having converted it to a twin cab we now needed to convert the back to a safari vehicle. A permanent aluminium top was fitted to the bin, weather proof, strong enough for us to stand on and secure. We had canvas sides and roof fitted, supported with a square mild steel frame work. Other additions included …
How Not To Moments
Does weight hanging off the back of the vehicle matter ?
Do you need 4 car batteries ?
Do Jerry cans work ?
Why were we hated by every other game viewing vehicle ?
Does pressure testing fuel tanks guarantee a good build ?
How Not To Moments
Does weight hanging off the back of the vehicle matter ?
Do you need 4 car batteries ?
Do Jerry cans work ?
Why were we hated by every other game viewing vehicle ?
Does pressure testing fuel tanks guarantee a good build ?
We had canvas sides and roof fitted, supported with a square mild steel frame work. We added 8 jerry cans, and a steel cage to stop theft. We added a big aluminium cupboard on the back to house the fridge and kitchen stuff. The two spare wheels were fitted to the tailgate, on swing mounts and on top of that two gas bottles. The spare petrol tank was suspended underneath where the spare wheel used to be. We added two more batteries behind the back wheels. The luggage went into fitted crates under the aluminium floor. Tents, chairs and miscellaneous stuff were loose packed on top. The whole structure could be changed into a game viewing vehicle with a seat and a metal ladder for Christine.
Does weight hanging off the back of the vehicle matter ?
The vehicle was so back heavy oncoming vehicles used to flash us to dip the headlights which were all ready dipped. The extra 170 cms behind the wheel added a massive fulcrum which multiplied the weight of the all ready heavy items. On our first trip to Namibia we used and abused 12 tyres in 3 months, which popped like balloons at a party. The seat, metal ladder and steel cage were handed out to local Himba people in the far north west corner of Namibia and these heavy pieces of metal were last seen disappearing into the desert to be up cycled into something else. We dumped one battery and are about to dump the third battery as unnecessary. The second gas bottled got knocked off by a tree in Mozambique and was never found or missed. On the latest upgrade we moved all the tyres and heavy items as far forward as possible. The heavy cupboard was removed after it set The Beast alight (latter story)
As little weight as possible should be added behind the wheels.
Do you need 4 car batteries ?
We have photographic equipment, fridges and a winch, all needing power. We needed power to charge the camera batteries in the early days but soon bought car chargers which allowed us to dump a battery. Now we have solar panels to help keep the fridge running. 2 batteries, one for the starter motor and one for other accessories is probably enough. Remember they sell you a 1000 Amp hour battery but you can only discharge lead acetate batteries 10% before you damage them so you only have 100 Amps of useful energy stored in the battery. Solar panels are useful and discussed later. We now carry one set of fixed panels and a spare flexible solar panel which we can bring out when we need it.
2 Batteries is enough.
Do Jerry Cans Work. ?
Yes and no. They are heavy but the weight was at least over the axle and it was easy to add fuel with a jiggle tube, if the marble on the end of the jiggle tube had not shaken loose. Petrol jerrys have the additional risk of being a fire hazard and should be stored inside to manage this. Many burnt out 4x4s apparently bear testament to carrying petrol jerrys on the roof. The water was more of a problem as you had to unload the water to use it, after moving everything packed around it. It is more convenient for access to build in tanks.
Avoid jerry cans if you can.
Why were we hated by every other game viewing vehicle ?
The rattling tubular steel frame, flapping canvas, squeaking brakes and the roar of a Toyota V6 is loud enough to wake the dead. When we arrived at a wildlife sighting, usually the wildlife disappeared for quieter surrounds and the fellow travellers left in disgust.
We eventually dumped the tubular steel though the roaring engine and squeaky brakes persist. We are still not much loved even when we creep sheepishly to the view spot.
Does pressure testing the extra fuel tanks guarantee a good build ?
The petrol tank is sold as pressure tested and this is meant to guarantee a leak proof container. We rapidly learnt this is not the case. A full tank of fuel is 80 kilograms and the constant corrugations, rough roads and the occasional knock resulted in EVERY tank beginning to leak. The leak is always at the seams where there are welds. The use of soap to seal small leaks works reasonably well but we eventually only filled the tanks when absolutely necessary and we now have another modification which has been more successful but we had to sacrifice the back seat to raise the tank. Accessory fuel tanks need to be easily inspected for leaks and well protected with good support. Most 4 x4 accessories are built for occasional use off road not regular use for long periods of time.
Pressure testing is no guarantee that fuel tanks will not leak, especially with regular use.
Does weight hanging off the back of the vehicle matter ?
The vehicle was so back heavy oncoming vehicles used to flash us to dip the headlights which were all ready dipped. The extra 170 cms behind the wheel added a massive fulcrum which multiplied the weight of the all ready heavy items. On our first trip to Namibia we used and abused 12 tyres in 3 months, which popped like balloons at a party. The seat, metal ladder and steel cage were handed out to local Himba people in the far north west corner of Namibia and these heavy pieces of metal were last seen disappearing into the desert to be up cycled into something else. We dumped one battery and are about to dump the third battery as unnecessary. The second gas bottled got knocked off by a tree in Mozambique and was never found or missed. On the latest upgrade we moved all the tyres and heavy items as far forward as possible. The heavy cupboard was removed after it set The Beast alight (latter story)
As little weight as possible should be added behind the wheels.
Do you need 4 car batteries ?
We have photographic equipment, fridges and a winch, all needing power. We needed power to charge the camera batteries in the early days but soon bought car chargers which allowed us to dump a battery. Now we have solar panels to help keep the fridge running. 2 batteries, one for the starter motor and one for other accessories is probably enough. Remember they sell you a 1000 Amp hour battery but you can only discharge lead acetate batteries 10% before you damage them so you only have 100 Amps of useful energy stored in the battery. Solar panels are useful and discussed later. We now carry one set of fixed panels and a spare flexible solar panel which we can bring out when we need it.
2 Batteries is enough.
Do Jerry Cans Work. ?
Yes and no. They are heavy but the weight was at least over the axle and it was easy to add fuel with a jiggle tube, if the marble on the end of the jiggle tube had not shaken loose. Petrol jerrys have the additional risk of being a fire hazard and should be stored inside to manage this. Many burnt out 4x4s apparently bear testament to carrying petrol jerrys on the roof. The water was more of a problem as you had to unload the water to use it, after moving everything packed around it. It is more convenient for access to build in tanks.
Avoid jerry cans if you can.
Why were we hated by every other game viewing vehicle ?
The rattling tubular steel frame, flapping canvas, squeaking brakes and the roar of a Toyota V6 is loud enough to wake the dead. When we arrived at a wildlife sighting, usually the wildlife disappeared for quieter surrounds and the fellow travellers left in disgust.
We eventually dumped the tubular steel though the roaring engine and squeaky brakes persist. We are still not much loved even when we creep sheepishly to the view spot.
Does pressure testing the extra fuel tanks guarantee a good build ?
The petrol tank is sold as pressure tested and this is meant to guarantee a leak proof container. We rapidly learnt this is not the case. A full tank of fuel is 80 kilograms and the constant corrugations, rough roads and the occasional knock resulted in EVERY tank beginning to leak. The leak is always at the seams where there are welds. The use of soap to seal small leaks works reasonably well but we eventually only filled the tanks when absolutely necessary and we now have another modification which has been more successful but we had to sacrifice the back seat to raise the tank. Accessory fuel tanks need to be easily inspected for leaks and well protected with good support. Most 4 x4 accessories are built for occasional use off road not regular use for long periods of time.
Pressure testing is no guarantee that fuel tanks will not leak, especially with regular use.